Donna Ahrendsen


Delores Ahrendsen MHS 1958


Larry Ahrendsen 1966


Herman & Anna (Schulz) Ahrendsen

Back: Arthur, Alta, Lorenz
Front: Herman, Anna

Herman Ahrendsen married Anna Schulz, in Davenport, Iowa, on March 28, 1911. They farmed in Shelby County, Iowa, for two years in partnership with Herman's brother, Julius. He then bought a farm five miles south of Manning. Farming with horse drawn equipment, they raised corn, oats, hay and some livestock.
Herman and Anna had three children: Lorenz Peter, born February 27, 1912; Arthur Andres, born December 6, 1915; and Alta Margareta, born July 25, 1919. They were all baptized, confirmed and attended parochial school at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township, Audubon County.
In 1941, Herman, Anna and Alta moved to Manning on May Street; Arthur continued to live on the farm. Shortly thereafter, Lorenz, and his wife Ruth, also moved to the homeplace and they formed a partnership known as Ahrendsen Brothers. Later Arthur purchased and moved to a farm east of the family farm.
Herman died in 1944. Alta cared for her mother until the latter passed away in 1966.
Alta worked at many jobs during her lifetime, among them O Coma, Nelson Manufacturing, Manning Plaza, etc. She enjoyed traveling. In 1985, Arthur moved to town to live with Alta. He enjoyed bowling, dancing and playing cards. Alta died in 1992. Art remained in the home until he entered the Manning Plaza in 1994. He died in 1999.


Lorenze & Ruth (Adams) Ahrendsen
Lorenz Peter Ahrendsen, son of Herman and Anna (Schulz) Ahrendsen was born February 27, 1912, on a farm south of Manning. He was baptized, confirmed, and attended parochial school at Trinity Lutheran Church, Audubon County.
On November 22, 1938, Lorenz was united in marriage with Ruth Adams. They had four children: Delores Ann, Donna Mae, Norma Jean, and Larry Dale. The daughters were baptized, confirmed and married in Trinity Lutheran Church.
For two years, they rented a farm seven miles south and one and one-half miles west of Manning. When the farm was offered for sale, they chose not to invest and go into debt, as the price for a 300-pound hog was only $15.00. In March 1941, Lorenz and his brother Arthur, formed a partnership known as The Ahrendsen Brothers. At this time, Lorenz and Ruth moved to the home place where Arthur lived. They raised chickens, Angus Cattle, hogs and milked Shorthorn Cattle.
The Ahrendsens were active church members. Lorenz served many years as an elder and Ruth taught Sunday School.
Lorenz died of a heart condition on December 25, 1979. Ruth enjoyed all the duties of a farm homemaker until she developed macular degeneration. She served as a Girl's 4-H leader for over forty years. She remains on the farm with support from her family and Home Healthcare Service.
Ruth celebrated her ninety-second birthday in 2005.


Back: Jodi, Brian, Connie, Cory
Front: Larry, Wendy
Larry Dale Ahrendsen, son of Lorenz and Ruth Ahrendsen, was born in Manning. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Audubon County. He graduated from Manning High School in 1966 and from Iowa State University with a degree in Farm Operations. While at Iowa State, Larry enrolled in the ROTC program and spent eight years in the Army Reserve Unit in Sac City, Iowa, following his college graduation.
Larry and Connie Beermann, of Denison, Iowa, were married September 22, 1968, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. He farmed with his dad and subsequently purchased his own farm ground on which he grew corn, soybeans, and hay. He finished out cattle and hogs for many years. Connie has been a stay-at-home mom and also worked outside the home. She enjoys many homemaker tasks and hobbies but her special passion is flower gardening and sewing.
As their children grew and became involved in 4-H, Larry again showed cattle (Chianina, Limousin, Angus, Maine-Anjou, and Crossbreeds).
Larry and Connie have four children, all graduates of the Manning school system. Jodi Lynn (MHS 1987). She graduated from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, in December 1992, with a BS in Elementary Education. Through the years, she has been affiliated with school systems and swimming pool projects in many communities. On June 12, 1993, Jodi married Stephen Miller of Rock Valley, Iowa. Stephen attended classes at USD (while serving in the National Guard) and graduated with a BS degree in Recreational Therapy in 1996. After living in South Dakota, North Carolina and several Iowa locations, they are now living in Rock Valley, Iowa. Stephen is employed at the V.A. Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They have three young sons, Samuel, Seth, and Simon.
Cory Edward (MHS 1989). He graduated from Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1991. After working for Sullivan Supply in Dunlap, Iowa, he decided to enroll in classes at Iowa State University in Ames and graduated in 1977 with a BS in Animal Science. He then worked at Waterloo Mills Feed Company. Cory married Jan Crees of Clutier, Iowa, in Dysart, Iowa, on May 30, 1998. Jan graduated from Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is an active farmer and Cory works with her after hours and on weekends. Cory changed his career path in 2000 and took a position with Chelsea State Bank. They have two sons, Michael and Adam.
Wendy Jean (MHS 1991). She graduated from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, in 1995 with a BS in mathematics and later a MS in math from SDSU. She continues teaching at SDSU. During her graduate studies, Wendy rekindled her love of swimming and now has a head coaching position with the Brookings, South Dakota swim club.
Brian Lorenz (MHS 1992). He attended classes at South Dakota State University in Brookings. He transferred to Iowa State University in Ames and graduated with a BS in Animal Science in 1996. His first job was in Boone, Iowa at Midland Bio Products Corporation. Brian married Karla Lester of Rembrandt, Iowa, in Storm Lake, Iowa, on October 12, 1996. Karla graduated from ISU in 1998, receiving a BS in Agricultural Business. Since the fall of 1998, Brian and Karla have worked in Halbur, Arcadia, Carroll, Sioux Rapids, Albert City, and Royal - all positions being agriculture related. Brian continues his interest in showing cattle. Brian and Karla have two daughters, Megan and Emma.


Jodi Ahrendsen (1992) MHS 1987


Cory Ahrendsen MHS 1989


Wendy Ahrendsen MHS 1991


Brian Ahrendsen MHS 1992